FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

University of the District of Columbia President Names New Athletic Director Patricia Ann Thomas Selected as First Female Athletic Director in School History

Washington, DC – University of the District of Columbia (UDC) President Allen Sessoms has announced that Patricia Ann Thomas is the school’s new Athletic Director. Thomas will assume her duties on December 1, 2008.

Thomas joins the University as the first female African American Athletic Director in the school’s 34-year history. According to the most recent report from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), less than eight percent of Athletic Directors at all member schools are African American. Thomas’ appointment is part of the sweeping changes President Allen Sessoms is making on the UDC campus since he took the helm in September.

“We are pleased to have Patricia joining UDC as our new athletic director,” says President Sessoms. “Her outstanding credentials and the respect she has garnered within NCAA athletics make her the best choice for the new direction of UDC.”

As Athletic Director, Thomas will oversee all operations in the Athletics Department for the UDC Firebirds, specifically the university’s 11 Division II teams including men’s and women’s basketball, tennis, track and cross country teams.

“It is a privilege to join the University of the District of Columbia. I am proud to lead the Athletics Department and I look forward to working with the Firebird student athletes to take UDC athletics to greater heights,” said Thomas. “Few women, especially African-American women, get this opportunity at the collegiate level. This is a special honor indeed and I look forward to the challenge.”

Thomas brings over 30 years of experience in NCAA athletics to her new position. Prior to accepting the post at UDC, Thomas served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director at Georgetown University. As Senior Associate Athletic Director, Thomas was responsible for providing direct support to student-athletes and served as the sports administrator for over fifteen sports programs. A well-respected member of the NCAA community, Thomas has been acknowledged nationally for her work in NCAA and Big East Athletics. She has served as a member of the NCAA Division I Championships and Competition Cabinet, Big East Conference Executive Committee, and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

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The University of the District of Columbia is the fully-accredited sole public source for accessible, inclusive, affordable, and comprehensive public higher education in the District of Columbia and provides additional life-long learning opportunities. The University delivers quality instruction and uses student-centered approaches to empower and benefit both individuals and its local communities. The University, an urban land grant institution, is a very diverse community, a gateway to the world, and a significant investment engine for the District of Columbia. The University is located at 4200 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington, and is conveniently located at the Van Ness/UDC stop on the Red Line of Metro. For more information on other University activities, contact Mike Andrews, Senior Director for Communications and University Spokesperson at (202) 274-5685 or visit the University’s web site at www.udc.edu.